A film festival thinking itself: The 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival

Abstract

Between the 21st and 29th of September 2018, the San Sebastian International Film Festival (SSIFF) celebrated its 66th edition. The editorial in the official catalogue pointed out that the festival had reached a “crossroads” in which “safe and recognisable paths branch off onto unexpected tracks, or cross others which, despite having a rather uncertain destiny, may precisely be even more tempting” (“Crossroads”). Admittedly, at this year’s festival one could easily find some of the customary ingredients of the SSIFF’s “success formula” that have consolidated its position as the highest-profile film event in the Spanish-speaking world, and one of the most important cultural events in Spain.

Keywords

• san sebastian international film festival
• festival studies
• film archives
• cold war
• the long 1968